Trinidad to Clam Beach Run Review

I kept hoping there would be a break in the rain, but every time I looked out the window of our cabin in Trinidad the rain was steadily falling. I kept telling myself it couldn't be worse than when I ran the 8 3/4 mile Trinidad to Clam Beach Run in 2008. That day was cold, windy, pouring rain and absolutely miserable, including the waist-deep and swift river crossing. Fortunately today wasn't that bad; the rain eventually became a mist.

I started too fast and had a side ache by mile 3; I tried to breath through it and keep a steady pace. By the river crossing, which was only above my knees so I was able to "run" through it, I was feeling pretty good. With my new burst of energy and only flat sand ahead I was able to catch the one lady who got first in the Patrick's Point 10k two weeks ago. I improved my time by 4:21 from the 2008 race, with an average pace of 7:30 (I know my first two miles were faster). Here are the stats:
Time: 1:05:41;
Place overall: 98 out of 502 runners;
Age division: 3rd place out of 30 women in my age group;
Sex: 13 out of 233 women overall;

My parents were there to cheer and take pictures at four different points in the race which gave me something to look forward to along the way. I will add more pictures and video eventually. Here's one photo from the Six Rivers Running Club website. I'm steps from the finish line.